How Well Does A Microbrand Compare? 

Wonderful video Pete. More of this type of videos please. It makes you stand out even more and quality of the content is top notch

the Wise is a ridiculous value-for-money watch. Gorgeous and incredibly well made, and essentially a tenth of the price of your Seiko (which is an amazing piece, no doubt!)

I been waiting for this comparison!!! Thank you 😊

Microbrands are really giving the big boys a run for their money. I have just yesterday received my order from the Norwegian microbrand Forteller and I am absolutely blown away by the looks and finish. For about $220 (plus import duties/taxes, depending where you are) you get sapphire crystal, 300m water resistance, which makes it a real diver, drilled lugs, screwed chain links, the original bracelet, silicone strap and an original Horween leather strap and all the tools needed in a watch roll. Oh, and since that is not enough, the trilobite on the case back is just raging bad ass and the reason why it is called the "Cambrian". But what makes me really sing their song is the fact that not only does the screwdown crown engage absolutely precisely, so does the unidirectional rotating bezel. There's no reverse play at all. It just clicks and arrests into place like a mofo. Certainly not something you would expect from a watch in this price range. In fact, my Seiko Prospex Samurai really annoys me in that regard qualitywise. And that cost me 3 times as much. No, I am NOT paid by them. But I encourage everyone to go and check them out if you like a superbly made diver for little money. Movement is a Seiko NH35.

Thank you Peter for making this well-reasoned comparison, which I too had recently wished for. These are amazing results, beautifully presented! In the end, value depends on the preferences of the respective viewer :)

this was one of the most interesting comparisons I have ever seen!

Great comparison and great question about microbrands! I feel the same about my Islander #ISL-38. It is a much better value than I would get from a big brand.

I always enjoy your microbrand videos, it was the deciding factor to purchase a zelos. Thank you PK!

Great comparison. I'm right there with you on all the marks. Thanks for sharing. Always great to see your videos and those images are fantastic!

Truly great comparison. I'm very interested in picking up a Wise.

Great comparison. I'm blown away on the value for dollar that Wise offers

I bought a wise adamascus very recently in Thailand, fantastic watch, just quality for the price , great review, great wise adamascus

Nice work Peter. Definitely food for thought for those who have not crossed the microbrand bridge yet. There are some good ones out there.

great video, love the comparisons!

Wonderful comparison video Peter! Both are awesome watches! I am really impressed by the Wise for sure!

Really excellent & fair comparison. 👍🏼😎

Loved the comparison. I bought an RLG Odyssea, and have been very pleased with it. It's exactly this kind of dive watch. Quality is through the roof. Legibility... accuracy... microbrands really do have a great value proposition.

Nice comparison. Really impressed by Wise. As for comparison, I think it is important to factor in "brand equity" when comparing the two watches. Seiko dive watches have a stellar reputation (for good reason) and how we relate to and feel about a brand is something we all take into account when purchasing a watch.

I really like your reviews Peter and this was a great one too. Thanks!

I own a wise hitman and that bezel was unbelievably stiff but has loosened up significantly over the year plus of ownership. Thanks for yet another great video

Great comparison. Microbrands really are matching the majors in build and finishing now. The Chinese factories that make them seem to have invested heavily in state of the art CNC machines and its paying off. I have a Wise hitman and there is nothing seiko make in its price range that comes close to it. There's added irony in it using a seiko movement.

I'm subscribing I like how you presented this video, great comparison 👏

Peter you really are an authority on high quality watches. I totally trust your reviews and opinions. You have been an excellent reputation and have great credibility. Well done mate! Great video. I want a WISE now

Great video! Wise is a clear winner for me. Loving this Adamascus models! Seiko pretty much is living through hype and pedigree in my opinion.

Great video Pete!

Thanks Peter !

The lorier safari 35mm is a stunner. Micros are really gearing up!

Awesome comparison. The bezel on my adamascus became softer in time. But your points are all valid. They just need to work great the first time. 👍

Great job as always ☺️

I have the Limited Edition Bronze Wise coming my way in about a month... Cant wait!!!! Great review and honestly, Its not perfect... but its a great watch at a great price.

Peter, love your work! What about a rating for brand history?

Great comparison, would have been great to see the MAEN Hudson as part of this as well.

Almost pulled the trigger on the Wise today Peter! Then thought, “I’ve got enough similar style dive watches.” Out of left field I bought a Wolves Of Odin titanium automatic from Norway! Don’t question my decision as I couldn’t answer it anyway!🤪 Love a good micro brand!😎👍🏻

I have the wise red version. So comfortable and finishing is perfect. My seikos are feeling lonely. Definitely worth the $600

I have a large collection by most standards. Microbrands Compose more than a third of my collection at this point. Sure the value is there as compared to big brands for the same price… But it’s also fun to seek out and find that gem to add to the collection! Thanks for the fun piece.

The lume on the Wise’s bezel was a nice touch that you didn’t mention.

That's why this hobby is so fantastic. There's always something for everyone. If you are hell bend on heritage then you'll love your genuine Seiko 62mas reissue. Otherwise, the Wise and so many others are great choices. Thanks for the review.

I got the wise literally few days ago. I’m absolutely loving it.

It's a strong argument for the wise, great Value proposition. But if you're lucky enough to have both then it's winner, winner. Great vid.

Crown threading and action? Excellent review as always, thank you

Peter, great review! If the Wise watch has upgraded its Myota movement, it would have been the perfect watch in the sub $1000 range in my view

Well done!

Well done Pete. Great comparison. Havnt bought a seiko for a long time because of QC problems. I did look at one recently on line.and the bezel was misaligned on the photo not good.i am in for a good micrograms any day.👍

Awesome video 👍

I love your WatchCrunch ad.

Hey Peter, love your video as always! As a guy with low income, i can't ever imagine spending 5k USD on a Seiko when i can spend 1/10 on a Wise with equally amazing looks and comparison across the board.

I personally think any watch can be a hit and miss. However, while a micro brand will often offer better value for money with areas such as movement choice, case design, and additions like sapphire and so on for the same price range of any two watches. I have to say in my experience micro brands can have more fluctuations in QC. To be honest, my decades of watch collecting and flipping, I’ve basically learnt that there’s one company in the world that is 100% consistent every single time. Casio. In ever price range, they deliver every single time.

If I'm not mistaken that Seiko is a '55th Anniversary Limited Edition of 1,700 pieces' model. Makes it (much) more desirable IMHO.

It's a surprisingly relevant comparison. The Wise is a very beautiful watch and it punches far above its weight. It's just a fully polished case in soft 904L steel might not be suited for an occasionally clumsy guy like me! 🤣

Nice review. I would probably still take the Seiko, having owned over 10 Seikos and all great watches.

Good video for sure! 👍

that Squale looking case on the Wise is gorgeous...

Great review. I really like how many of these micro brands are putting the majors on notice. The key for this brand to me anyways is, they are made in Thailand yes, but not China like so many other micros are. Fully support micro brands as long as they are not going the China route for everything. I do understand many, even the majors, source their materials from China, but assembly and testing in their location is key for me.

Really like the Wise , I wish it had some brushing on the case to hide dings a bit but still a really nice watch.

Very nice watch. I really like it, but would be nice if there was a bracelet option too

Amazing that the 500$ Wise watch sits better on the wrist, and is soo much thinner in comparison. Well deserved match.

Agreed, Micro's do represent better value, but if money isn't a concern then I still prefer Seiko upto £1200 myself. Had a couple of ChrisWard's good watches but really doesn't compare to my Omega tbh. Good review Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

I bought an aragon divemaster. I gotta say for the money it is a great watch. Nh 35 movement and a looks between a rolex submariner and yacht master..

Wise, Jack Mason, Traska and several other MBs are actually very well made watches. Worth the $.

Wise make a beautiful watch.

Great comparison, Peter. The lumed bezel on the Wise is very nice; Seiko could have done that for the money 💰. Thanks a lot for this. Stay well and cheers 🍻!

Thanks! The only thing qustionable is 10 for "strap changes" for Seiko having odd 19mm lug width.

The Wise appears a really, really great VFM however, I would love to see an Adamascus without the patterned dial.

Hard to compare, but I would rather spend less and get something as good. That said, I will always pay a little more for heritage and brand perception, but there is a line in the sand. For example, Christopher Ward offer 90% of a watch for a fraction of the price compared with many luxury brands. Thanks for the great review as usual

I'm not sure if I agree on comparing watches by the numbers like this. I've now seen this format with other reviewers and I don't really think it's actually worthwhile doing. Watches are subjective and one collector will have areas that they feel are more important than another. Regardless that Wise watch is a real gem and tough competition no matter what watch you put up against it. I find I don't wear it as often as some others but whenever I do, I'm reminded of how well it wears as you point out simply due to the thickness of it. Great bezel action as well, it's a bit tighter than most other watches but has a great clickiness to it that no other watch in my collection has. I have a SBDC101 as well and that one actually gets less wrist time than the Wise simply due to the wearability of the Wise watch. Great video as usual Peter.

That wise is stunning

I was going to pull the trigger on the Wise no date Hitman, but at the last minute decided to go for a Wolbrook Skindiver WT. Such is the plethora of great micro brand watch company out there at the moment.

Man, that Seiko is a beauty, an expensive beauty at that ….

Zelos, Baltic and Halios have been laying waste to the under 1k$ segment for a while now. Seiko at this price point is simply a letdown. Poor accuracy, bezel alignment etc. Great review and viva micro brands!

There are Seiko 62mas reissues that cost a lot nearer the Wise price and I suspect they would measure up as well. Also I've heard good things about some of the ALI specials 62MAS lookalikes for under $150, which are probably made in the same factories the Wise is.

Never heard of this brand until this video. Interestingly, i found the lume on the microbrand much nicer in comparison. Not only is it blue, which is a bit more desirable and rare, but it's present on the bezel as well, again more desirable. I'm not quite fond of the all-around mirror polishing, i like some brushed finish here and there. I'm intrigued, i hope I can get my hands on one. 😏 Btw Seiko must be out of their flipping rails to charge 5000 and not include a hi-beat movement 🧐

Great comparison. Clearly and objectively compared. I'm an objective person on the most part, but there's that something, some kind of wall, indescribable blocker, that has made it impossible for me to purchase a micro brand piece so far. I always enjoy watching the reviews though. One could argue that non-watch specific factors such as brand history/pedigree/heirloom-worthiness (haha)/ future value, could weigh in for some people. And also warranty, repairs, product service. Though micro brands general have much better customer service I believe. Thanks again for an interesting comparison.

I will add 0.5 points to the AD8 for its movements, as they contribute to a slimmer case design. Additionally, I'll add a full point for the AD8's unique hour hand, which gives it a distinctive identity-this also applies to the dial. I might add another 0.5 points for the bezel lume.

Great comparison! Still not sure how a strap system that requires a tool is easier than quick release straps...

Brilliant

Fantastic comparison. Wise is a very cool brand and I really like that they are proud to be recognized as a Taiwanese company instead of pretending to be Swiss or something like others often do. Too bad about that bezel, the Hitman’s bezel is just about as perfect as you can get. I love the resistance and how it springs back to it’s correct position if you go a little past the click. I think the only watch in my collection that beats it is the Squale 60 atmos which feels like a precision surgical instrument but that’s an adjustable 60 click not a 120 so not exactly apples to oranges. I’m a big supporter of microbrands and feel they often offer more than the big brands not only in value for money but in build quality as well (looking at you non-Grand Seiko…). Also a few of them surpass the biggies in regards to customer service hands down full stop. I asked Alex at Perpetual if he happened to still have a spare from a discontinued line I was interested in. He didn’t but emailed back a few hours later that he had found enough parts to build one more if I wanted so he personally made it for me. Elshan from Zelos video conferenced me because of a minor QC issue then wouldn’t let me return the original until a replacement arrived and he was sure I was satisfied. You just don’t get that level of care from major brands at all. Ok sorry for rambling, great video as always my friend.

the movement is the reason why it's so thin though. miyota 9xxx's are amazing for that alone.

One plus with mircrobrands is if enough customers highlight an issue it''s changed for the next production run, you complain to Seiko about hardlex for decades for example and nothing happens.

As I know the Wise brand they calibrated the movement in all direction of the watch. also the legibility I suggest you to compare the same dial color, the one from Wise is black with the pattern dial which is pretty much corrosion under the sunlight with the beautiful reflection each different angles but Seiko is come with the matte blue dial which is more visibility when look at it.

Can I have the link to where you buy those 2 rubber straps in the video, look fantastic?

Great comparison. I have 3 micro brands in my collection and one of them is exceptional and I am hard pressed to find a difference in the quality of build and finishing to my Omega as an example (except for movement). The other two are really good watches as well and offer really great value. I think micro brands are also a really good way to buy something different! If I was to spend $5k on a watch I’d have to really think about it and make sure it is something I will not get bored of, so am unlikely to buy something with a different colour etc. However, a micro brand gives you that opportunity to buy something a bit left field without the stress of making a massive mistake!!!👍

The price tags on each of these are what gives them each a 9/10 in the "wow!" score

Helm Vanuatu. Anything Dan Henry. I could go on and on. For the record I own at least a dozen Seikos.

Nice review! But in terms of benchmark analysis, I didn't find the comparison of Miota versus Seiko fair. Both should be compared against a baseline and not against each other, is that correct?

I purchased a wise based on one of your first wise video. I have the same has yours but in blue and its great. I dont like high watches the watch is 11mm its precise enough I paid $ 460.00 in Thailand in a mall on the stand. Wise go for it 10x cheaper than Seiko. Only problem Wise is to stiff bezel work.

The back play on the Seiko... Japanese diving bezels glide. It is normal, they don't spring back once you set it like Swiss bezels.

What model is the Oris with the orange strap at 17 seconds? Looks great.

I've been looking for a dive watch for a while and was about to purchase seiko spb147 before I watched your review on Wise and pulled the trigger. Absolutely no regrets and i think this brand completely nailed it. Yes, there is no heritage, history behind them, but value for money just made sence. I love the thickness of the watch, and how comfortable it is. I never was a big fan of large watches. Thank you for making such great videos and helping us with such overpopulated market.

Micro brands give amazing value. I own lots of watches including 3 relatively new Rolex pieces, down to a Helm and a Heimdallr as well. Sure the Rolex has a wonderful movement although both will still tell the time for a long time with proper care. Then after 7 years you can service the Rolex and for less money you can throw the cheap one in the bin and buy a brand new one. Point is movement craftsmanship aside, the rest is questionable in regards to price difference. There is no comparison. It's all subjective to what the individual needs in their life. A wise man once told me to drive the cheapest car your ego allows. I say wear the appropriate watch your ego allows. There is no right or wrong. You buy what you want and what makes you happy.

Nice video and comparison. But resale value should also be a criteria for points

Great video as always! I must disagree with the value for money part regarding the Seiko, however. You get a Grand Seiko-made watch with the commensurate finishing on all viewable bits for US$4.5K MSRP. Compare that to other Grand Seiko models and it's great value for money, and that's before even factoring in the history of the 62MAS and the limited edition nature of this watch.

No comparision of the dial?

You should have done a MACRO view of the dials and hands and markers, I believe the Wise blows away the Seiko under Macro lens. Otherwise great review

I built my own Samurai. Micros are great but, build your own and you can make it your own.

Wouldn't it compare better to a 500 dollar Seiko? Or am I missing something? Looks nice anyways. I've been thinking of an SKX or similar but I want titanium.

I was going to buy the Wise Adamascus when it was released. Two main things put me off: a) the design of the hands (especially the hour hand); and the relentless all over case polishing.

What model is this Oris w/ an orange strap in your into?

Sponsored by ‘crunch = $$$$ 😂 Thanks, good comparo. The black on black wise is not my cup o tea, but also struggle with that Seiko price…

I have had my eye of the Wise brand for a while now and I think I will buy one sooner or later. Not sure which model yet though. I am sort of waiting/hoping that they change the Wise logo to a stylized "W" or something a little less generic. The logo is too plain. That is all that is stopping me. I don't think that Wise listen much to their customer feedback regarding proposed changes. I am just hoping that they decide to do it on their own. Like with the stiff bezel where they say no to decreasing the stiffness. They like it and they are not going to change it. Fair enough. It's their design.

You need to get the Albany Ama pearl diver in your hands. For US300. Go look.